Stories for January 2014

Friday, January 31

SEATTLE (AP) — Amanda Knox said Friday she will fight the reinstated guilty verdict against her and an ex-boyfriend in the 2007 slaying of a British roommate in Italy and vowed to “never go willingly” to face her fate in that country’s judicial system.

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Leaders in the Washington state Senate on Thursday introduced a measure that expands college financial aid for students who are illegally in the country just weeks after the House passed a similar bill.

You won’t need to take any idle time this year. You will be focused and prepared to meet every demand that you face. You will have no trouble achieving whatever it is that you set out to do. You will be highly organized, and your ideas will be well-defined and ready to be put into action. A financial upgrade is also very likely.

When our lives get chaotic, we pay dearly in terms of stress and money. There are hundreds of things you can do to simplify your life. Here are seven to help you get started ... one a day for the next week.

The depth of incompetence in the development of Cover Oregon is breathtaking. We know that because of a Sunday investigative article in The Oregonian.
Its headline “Plenty of warnings, none heeded” nailed the culture of amateurism that has plagued state government in its development of an online health insurance site.

WASHINGTON — The farm bill moving toward approval in Congress includes a one-year extension of a federal program that compensates rural counties for federal lands they can’t tax. About 1,900 local governments — mostly in the West — received a total of $400 million last year under the program, known as Payment in Lieu of Taxes or PILT.

With its latest matchup deadlocked at 30-apiece with a minute left in the opening half, the South Wasco County Redsides amped up their play for a 56-23 run in the final two quarters and changed enroute to an 86-53 win over No. 19 Umpqua Valley Christian in a boy’s basketball contest Tuesday night at St. Paul High School.

The Sherman Huskies moved to within a game of first-place Dufur after getting a double-double from Katie Poirier, as a 17-6 third-quarter run helped the squad pull off a 49-34 win Tuesday in Big Sky Conference action in Arlington.

The No. 6-ranked Dufur Rangers lost their second consecutive road game by double digits in a 57-44 setback Tuesday night to City Christian in non-league girl’s basketball play in Portland.
The Rangers’ (13-4 overall, 7-1 league) have a chance to get back into a groove at 6 p.m. Friday with a league tussle at home versus second-place Sherman.

All Bowl for Kids’ Sake team captains and anyone interested in forming a team are invited to the team captain kick-off Monday, Feb. 3, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Pietro’s Pizza, Second and Cascade streets in Hood River.

WASHINGTON — Congressional Republicans swiftly and sharply rejected President Barack Obama’s vow to act on his own if lawmakers won’t help him create jobs and narrow the nation’s yawning income gap, insisting he’ll accomplish little in a divided government without them.

Concentration will be the key if you want to meet your goals this year. You must not allow yourself to be distracted by other people or personal problems. Think carefully about your motivations and make pragmatic decisions that will lead to the highest rewards. It’s time to start putting yourself first instead of catering to the demands of everybody else.

If you willingly pay an annual fee for a credit card that earns air miles (most reward cards do come with a hefty price), you might want to re-think that decision. The problem is airlines are changing the rules to shorten the time before miles expire. Several years ago I learned this the hard way.

Tuesday, January 28

DAUN KING and Todd Klaviter of the Patriot Guard Riders, above, present flags along Fifth Street in front of the Wasco County Courthouse Jan. 25 as guests arrive for a celebration and remembrance of the life of Tim Lynn, Wasco County Assessor, who died Jan. 16, 2014, and was a Coast Guard veteran.

South Wasco County head coach Jim Hull called Saturday’s lopsided home win over Central Christian important for the team’s psyche.
With a goal of districts still on their minds, all of the games in league are extremely important.

Jake Kortge scored a game-high 22 points and the Dufur Rangers sank 8 of 11 free throws in the fourth quarter to help with a 55-41 win over Condon-Wheeler Saturday in a 1A Big Sky Conference tussle at Condon High School.

One night after suffering a 17-point setback against No. 3 Hermiston, No. 5 The Dalles Wahtonka got back to their winning ways with a 64-44 win Saturday over the 4A La Grande Tigers in a non-league girl’s hoops showdown at La Grande High School.

Roxanne O’Neal scored a season-high 16 points, Zoe Morelli added 10 and the South Wasco County Redside girl’s basketball team used the first three quarters to impose their will in a 46-19 blowout of Central Christian Saturday in Maupin.

As President Barack Obama prepares to give his State of the Union address, the chief of state’s annual speech summing up the prior year and setting the agenda for the year to come, we are often left to wonder if the president’s perception of the national pulse in the beltway bears any resemblance to the pulse of life here in Wasco County.

WASHINGTON — Challenging lawmakers to help him create greater economic opportunity, President Barack Obama will use his State of the Union address Tuesday to announce he’s raising the minimum wage for new federal contract workers to $10.10 an hour, underscoring a go-it-alone strategy in an election year critical to Democrats’ hopes for retaining Senate control.

There are many organizations in the Mid-Columbia supporting older adults, but there are very few whose only mission is the health and wellbeing of older adults. One of those organizations is the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) operated under the Mid-Columbia Council of Governments serving a five county region: Wheeler, Gilliam, Sherman, Wasco and Hood River counties.

You will be emotional, giving, understanding and admired by others this year. Your generous attitude will be enthusiastically reciprocated. You can develop stronger bonds with family members. You will have to learn to accept what you cannot change and stay positive even when things don’t work out as planned.

Have I told you lately how much I enjoy it when you fill up my inbox with your clever tips, tricks and solutions? Well, I do. It allows me to take a guilt-free break now and then to sit back, ponder and wonder, “Why didn’t I think of that?”

When all else fails, get the ball down low.
That was mantra stated by the Sherman Huskies, as starting posts Katie Poirier and Janet Guzman combined for 23 points and 17 rebounds to lead their team to a 40-35 victory over Nixyaawii Friday in a Big Sky Conference girl’s basketball showdown in Moro.

Once again, the Sherman Huskies had a tough test at home against Nixyaawii and played well enough to get the win, but the Golden Eagles broke free in the final quarter using a 23-11 run to grab a 62-49 victory Friday in Big Sky boy’s hoops play in Moro.

SUN VALLEY, Idaho (AP) — The really fun thing about cross-country skiing in Idaho’s mountains is that you have all the excuses you need to sit down to a hearty meal after getting off the trail.
Nordic skiers can burn up to 700 calories skiing at a moderate pace during an hour’s trek, according to Snowlink.com.

WASHINGTON — In taking a deep look at trouble inside U.S. nuclear forces, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is searching for the root causes of recent Air Force missteps but also for ways to make the nuclear warrior’s job more attractive at a time when the military has turned its attention away from such weapons.

Still Life: A Moment in Time, beginning Feb. 7 at the Columbia Center for the Arts, celebrates the rich history of still life painting through contemporary artwork.
Artists include: Aimee Erickson, Eric Jacobsen, Andy Nichols, Mark Nilsson, Cathleen Rehfeld, Sally Reichmuth, Bill Sharp, Susan Sutherland, and Za Vue. A show opening and artist reception is planned on Friday, Feb. 7, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Forests are the backyard for many Oregonians, and as much a part of Oregon's identity as the Oregon Trail. These forests are managed by government agencies and private landowners to benefit Oregonians environmentally, economically, and socially.

Fifteen Oregon high schools that have proudly borne Native American mascots for decades, like ours here in The Dalles, are facing a tough and unasked-for job: Choose a new mascot that doesn’t reference Indians, Warriors, Braves, Chieftains or any other reference to the Native American race.

ACTS (ACCLAIMING CHRIST Through Sports) will once again be hosting its annual Super Duper Football Bash Sunday, Feb.2, with doors opening at 2:30 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 3350 Columbia View Drive. Cost is $5 per person or $15 per family.

GRANTS PASS — Oregon’s rainy reputation is being tested as dry grass and brush have prompted unprecedented red flag fire warnings in the southwestern corner of the state — a situation normally reserved for late summer.

NOAA Fisheries Service says that a new biological opinion issued Jan. 17 confirms that its plan for improving salmon and steelhead survival through the Federal Columbia River Power System on the Columbia and Snake rivers is working, and efforts to rehabilitate habitat for the fish will indeed help dodge extinction for species listed under the Endangered Species Act.

A recent study by University of Montana faculty and graduate students found that wolf predation of cattle contributes to lower weight gain in calves on western Montana ranches. This leads to an economic loss several times higher than the direct reimbursement ranchers receive for a cow killed by wolves.

You can take risks without fear of failure in order to meet your goals. You will be sensitive, intuitive and focused in the year ahead. You are now ready to market your skills and ideas. Others will easily recognize the worth of your endeavors.

Winter gray whale migration
The first gray whales of the winter migration are passing by the Oregon coast now. The peak of the migration occurs the last week of December or the first two weeks of January.

Thursday, January 23

MONTREUX, Switzerland — Furiously divided from the start, representatives of Syrian President Bashar Assad and the rebellion against him threatened Wednesday to collapse a peace conference intended to lead them out of civil war.

To the editor:
I just want to say that Jake Grossmiller hit the nail on the head. It is a no brainer. It should be The Dalles High School Eagles. After all, that covers the entire The Dalles community and, remember, we are, right now, The Dalles Indian Eagles.

Given a golden opportunity to claim a legacy moment in his second term, President Barack Obama took a tentative step forward Friday, but he should have gone much further in rolling back some of the federal government’s broadest surveillance practices.

When it comes to the minimum wage, Oregon is in the right place. With our West Coast neighbors, we have the highest minimum wages in the nation. A large majority of economists agree that raising minimum wages is smart.
Oregon voters made this decision in 2002 by ballot initiative.

PORTLAND — Friends of the Columbia Gorge, in coordination with the Power Past Coal coalition and with volunteer participation of Portland-based Johnny Cash tribute band Counterfeit Cash, has released an online music video “Coal Train Blues.”

“Epic” is the free family movie this Saturday, Jan. 25, at 10 a.m., at Columbia Cinemas, 2727 W. 7th St. The weekly family films in January and February are brought to The Dalles through a collaboration with YouthThink. A donation of a nonperishable food item is requested. The main animated film characters are shown above.

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama shone a light Wednesday on a college sexual assault epidemic that is often shrouded in secrecy, with victims fearing stigma, police poorly trained to investigate and universities reluctant to disclose the violence.

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — A bus stop in Spokane happens to be under a favorite perch for birds, and the droppings are so bad the Spokane Transit Authority has been forced to move the stop out of the drop zone.
Riders say the sidewalk and bench under the power lines at the intersection of Green and Mission are filthy.

Wednesday, January 22

BEAVERTON (AP) — A spokeswoman for a suburban Portland school district says the norovirus is believed to be responsible for sickening at least 100 students and several staff members at an elementary school.

Part of the circle: Jeannie and Dan Carver may still be home on Imperial Ranch when the winter Olympic games start in Sochi next month, but a part of them and their ranch will be making history in Russia as their wool dresses the athletes in their uniform sweaters and mittens.

The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2014 Annual Banquet kicked off in style as it honored local “Home Grown Heroes.“
The banquet took place on Thursday, Jan. 16 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at The Dalles Civic Auditorium.

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — A new, 9-meter (29.5-foot) sculpture of Nelson Mandela is billed as the biggest statue of the South African leader. It also has a tiny, barely visible quirk: a sculpted rabbit tucked inside one of the bronze ears. The bronze rabbit is about half the height of the ear canal.

NEW YORK — E.L. Doctorow has different ways of telling a story.
He sometimes writes because he’s asked to — perhaps a commencement address for Brandeis University, a review for The New York Times of a Harriet Beecher Stowe biography or reflections on the U.S. Constitution, as requested by the Pennsylvania Humanities Council.

Whether you’re following a weight loss plan or simply maintaining healthy habits, finding foods that are nutritious sources of protein and promote satiety can help curb your urge to snack throughout the day.

Austin Kaseberg and Max Martin combined for nine 3-points and 38 points, as the Sherman Huskies used runs of 25-11 and 24-6 in the opening half of their 77-45 blowout win over Trout Lake in boy’s basketball action at Sherman High School.

Basketball is a game of adjustments.
After Trout Lake struck first blood with a 14-10 run through first quarter of play, the Sherman Huskies made the proper moves on the hardwood and added some extra defensive intensity for a run of 19-5 in the second quarter on their way to a 50-36 victory Tuesday in non-league girl’s basketball play in Moro.

You will finally be forced to make tough decisions that you have managed to avoid in the past. The only way to make progress will be to address any longstanding problems once and for all. You may not like change, but it will be necessary to accept it this year.

I am so excited. Do you recall me telling you what a lousy cook my husband is? Well, thanks to today’s first tipster, he will not have to deal with sizzling skillets and burned grilled cheese ever again while I’m away traveling.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana’s casino tax revenues have fallen faster than expected over the past six months, plunging nearly 15 percent amid more out-of-state competition and lagging admissions as consumers try to shake off the aftereffects of the recession.

To the editor:
The streets will be a bit empty with the passing of a much beloved member of our community. Jarvin Whitesell, 47, died Thursday, January 16, of natural causes. His cheerful, positive presence will be sorely missed. We have known Jarvin since 1981 when he came to us as a foster child at the age of 15. Jarvin’s ageless and indomitable spirit found joy in life, in many friendships, in silliness, and in the support of his community. He was a vital part of a network of smaller communities in The Dalles including Special Olympics swim team and The Dalles Senior Center where he tended the garden.

The Mid-Columbia Health Foundation is seeking nominations for the 2014 Tradition of Compassion Philanthropy Awards.
Award recipients will be selected in four categories: Outstanding Volunteer, Outstanding Community Service Organization, Outstanding Philanthropist and Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation.

MCMINNVILLE (AP) — Phillip J. Pirages sells books from his home office off a country road beyond McMinnville. It’s not a high-traffic location, but then again you’re unlikely to be his customer unless you have several thousand dollars — maybe tens of thousands of dollars — to spend.

BERLIN (AP) — Waking up after almost three years of hibernation, a comet-chasing spacecraft sent its first signal back to Earth on Monday, prompting cheers from scientists who hope to use it to land the first space lander onto a comet.

PORTLAND— Mia Prickett’s ancestor was a leader of the Cascade Indians along the Columbia River and was one of the chiefs who signed an 1855 treaty that helped establish the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde in Oregon.

When it comes to making coffee and pressing clothes, you know already that there are two appliances that get a daily workout at my house — the coffeemaker and steam iron. Over the years, I’ve tested many brands, models and options. My conclusion is that, for these two items, price does not always indicate a superior product. I prefer what I call the best inexpensives.

Saturday, January 18

Janet Guzman scored a game-high 15 points and senior point guard Andie Harrison reeled off nine to lead the Sherman Huskies to their second straight win, 41-16 Friday in a Big Sky West Division tussle in Redmond.

The Dufur Rangers had the unenviable task of facing the No. 1-ranked Horizon Christian hawks in a battle of the Big Sky Conference leaders, but Horizon wound up being too much in the end for a 71-29 home win Friday in Hood River.

Zoe Morelli had a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds and the South Wasco County Redsides stopped their three-game losing streak with style in a 49-28 drubbing of Arlington Friday in a Big Sky Conference girl’s hoops showdown in Maupin.

State police seek diesel thieves
Oregon State Police is seeking information and asking to speak to possible victims related to an investigation into the theft of diesel fuel in several central and eastern Oregon counties including Wasco. The thefts are suspected to have occurred between May 2012 and Jan. 2014.

PORTLAND — The federal government’s management plan for protecting salmon and steelhead populations imperiled by federal dams in the Columbia River basin differs little from its earlier version and continues to rely heavily on habitat improvement.
The court-ordered plan, known as a biological opinion, was released by NOAA Fisheries Service on Friday. Its various iterations have been litigated in court for more than two decades.

On a typical Wednesday, the smell of delicious food wafts into the hallways of The Dalles Wahtonka High School. The sounds vary from laughter and the chopping of vegetables to comments like, “Is this right?” and “Wow, it looks like a real muffin!”
The smells and sounds are not coming from the cafeteria but from the Awesome Period class taught by Lori Stepper, Wasco County 4-H staff, and Leela Patel, Vista AmeriCorps Volunteer for Wasco County Public Health.

WASHINGTON — China and Japan are engaged in a war of words that is lighting up editorial pages around the world as Beijing takes aim at a recent visit by Japan’s leader to a controversial war shrine and Tokyo answers back.

Women who love to sing — in the shower, in the car or on stage — are invited to a special guest night hosted by Harmony of the Gorge chorus Tuesday, Jan. 28, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., at Hood River Valley Christian Church.

WASHINGTON — At what point do breakdowns in discipline put the country’s nuclear security in jeopardy?
And when does a string of embarrassing episodes in arguably the military’s most sensitive mission become a pattern of failure?

It’s been a tough year to have much enthusiasm about going outside.
For us that seldom happens, but this winter the skiing has been awful. On top of that, most days at lower elevations were nothing but dreary and the bald eagles were pretty much a no-show. Last Monday we hit the wall; we had to get out of the house or we would go nuts.

JERUSALEM (AP) — An Israeli draft law that would criminalize the use of the word Nazi in most cases has sparked a debate on freedom of speech in a state that was founded out of the ashes of the Holocaust.

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) ‚Äî A Taliban attack against a popular Kabul restaurant killed 21 people, officials said Saturday, in the deadliest attack against foreign civilians since the war began nearly 13 years ago.

Thursday, January 16

GLENDORA, Calif. (AP) ΓÇö Santa Ana winds that fanned a campfire into a wildfire that destroyed five homes and threatened foothill neighborhoods east of Los Angeles relented Thursday afternoon, halting the blaze in its tracks.
WITH VIDEO

To the editor:
On Dec. 6, I had the bad fortune to wreck my car. I immediately took it to Jack’s Body Shop. They have done work in the past for me and I have always been pleased with their workmanship.

We’ve not seen evidence that anyone plans to try to open a medical marijuana store in Baker County.
But we agree with Baker City Police Chief Wyn Lohner that local elected officials should start thinking about the issue, and in particular about whether they want to restrict or outright ban such businesses.

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — She wears a black headscarf instead of a cap. But otherwise Col. Jamila Bayaz looks like any other district police chief in Afghanistan as she reviews checkpoints in the center of Kabul.

Wednesday, January 15

The Aloha Warriors tried to put some pressure on No. 6-ranked The Dalles Wahtonka, but the high-flying Eagle Indians had all the answers in a 59-50 win, their seventh in a row, Tuesday in non-league girl’s basketball play Tuesday in Beaverton.

The Columbia Gorge was well-represented when hundreds of public and private leaders convened at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland Dec. 9 for the Oregon Business Summit, an annual event that helps define state policies for the coming year.

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is expected to endorse changes to the way the government collects millions of Americans’ phone records for possible future surveillance, but he’ll leave many of the specific adjustments for Congress to sort out, according to three U.S. officials familiar with the White House intelligence review.

PENDLETON (AP) — A Pendleton woman who says she sprained a wrist, an ankle and fell unconscious after tripping on potholes and asphalt piles in a city parking lot wants the city to pay her more than $550,000.

Stick to what you know, and avoid any sudden and inconsistent moves that could threaten your reputation. Conservative action and expertise will help you overcome opposition and accusations. Stand tall and proceed with confidence. Play the game of life to win.

In a recent column I showed you how to make a very effective fruit fly trap. I thought my trap was quite effective because I caught those flies that were driving me nuts. Then I got an email message from reader Betty, who offered a couple of improvements. I immediately upgraded my trap accordingly. So much better.

Facing the toughest part of its schedule, the South Wasco County girl’s basketball team is in the midst of a 2-9 stretch over the past month, last losing 69-40 Saturday in Big Sky Conference basketball play in Maupin.

It was a tale of two halves, as South Wasco County erased a 29-22 halftime deficit with rallies of 37-3 and 31-7 to motor their way to an impressive 92-39 score to upend Condon-Wheeler in Big Sky boys hoops play in Condon.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Democratic and some Republican advocates for state-supported preschool Monday intensified their push for a $1.4 million, five-school pilot program they hope will eventually open the door in Idaho to broader pre-kindergarten education.

Progressive motion will get you where you want to go in the coming months. Expect emotional issues to be brought out into the open. Clear up any matter that is keeping you from getting what you want. Use emotional tactics to win personal battles.

Want to put a thousand bucks back into your wallet in the coming year? If you’re paying around $100 per month now, pulling that plug would more than do it and without leaving you high and dry for TV entertainment.

Saturday, January 11

CROOKED RIVER RANCH (AP) — A hike in the Central Oregon desert often requires some patience. It can take some time tromping through the sagebrush to reach the payoff. And sometimes the beauty of the desert is in the eye of the beholder.

To the editor:
Anyone driving past my home would not immediately say, “That is the yard of a Master Gardener.”
In fact, taking a long look at my yard, one might be operating under a totally different set of assumptions!

To the editor:
I felt a need to respond to the letter published on Thursday that called the school district lazy for calling a two hour delay. As a parent of three teenagers, I can certainly understand how this can affect the workday, but the school district is responsible for all children, not just inconveniencing one parent.

To the editor:
To the lady who was accusing the schools of being “lazy”:
Many of the people working at the schools and other businesses can certainly sympathize with your inconvenience at not having a place for your child before you go to work - many of them are in the same boat.

Project ELFF topped last year’s collection of food for local food banks by almost 600 units in 2013 under its new commander, volunteer firefighter Cheyenne Heron, collecting a grand total of 27,466 units of food.

Perhaps you have heard about it but are still wondering, “What is this ‘Open Campus’ and what can it do for me?”
Open Campus is a new idea that is built upon the rich history of a program that you are probably familiar with: OSU Extension. Like Extension, the goal of Open Campus is to bring educational opportunities to people in all parts of our great state—not just those who can attend classes in Corvallis.

South Wasco County fell behind by a game-high 16 points, staged a 32-24 run in the fourth quarter, but still ended up on the losing end against Dalton Hughes, Jailin Conboy and the Ione Cardinals by a 86-78 score Friday in Big Sky conference boy’s hoops play in Ione.

Alexa Macias scored 10 of her team-high 15 points in the first quarter, as the Dufur Rangers landed the knockout blow in the first eight minutes for a 16-2 lead as part of a 53-28 triumph over Griswold Friday night in Big Sky girl’s basketball play in Helix.

If you attended The Dalles High School anytime after 1946, you’re likely familiar with the collection of murals depicting Celilo Falls that have graced the library’s westernmost walls for almost 60 years.

JERUSALEM — Ariel Sharon, the hard-charging Israeli general and prime minister who was admired and hated for his battlefield exploits and ambitions to reshape the Middle East, died Saturday, eight years after a stroke left him in a coma from which he never awoke. He was 85.

WASHINGTON — U.S. employers added a scant 74,000 jobs in December, the fewest in three years. The disappointing figure ended 2013 on a weak note and raises questions about whether the job market can sustain its recent gains.

Robert J. Carsner, 72 a resident of The Dalles, Oregon died at home Monday, January 6, 2014.
Viewing will be Friday, January 10, 2014 from 2:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

The Dalles Wahtonka had its second-highest scoring output along with its best defensive effort Friday night in a 54-point blowout of Franklin in a lopsided 5A battle in The Dalles.
TDW’s defense held Franklin without a field goal for the first two quarters, and the offense reeled off scores of 25-1 and 16-1 to lead 41-2 at halftime.

The U.S. just marked the 40th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, a milestone that inspired Oregon Public Broadcasting’s Amelia Templeton to blog about some key ESA debates. These deserve to spur a thorough re-examination of a law that is both still valuable and seriously outdated.

BEIJING — When her mind is clear, Gong Qifeng can recall how she begged for mercy. Several people pinned her head, arms, knees and ankles to a hospital bed before driving a syringe of labor-inducing drugs into her stomach.

Build a solid base in the coming months. Focusing on what’s important to you, along with forming a solid plan for the future, will allow you room to coast through any excessive situations you face this year. You can have fun and be frugal.

DEAR DOCTOR K: A few years ago my doctor told me that C-reactive protein was an important indicator of heart disease risk. At my last checkup, he didn’t mention it at all. Is it still considered important?

The Dalles Wahtonka freshman Iliana Telles scored a career-high 17 points, and senior Emily Bailey added five points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, seven blocks and seven steals to lead their No. 13-ranked varsity girl’s team to a season-high fifth consecutive win in a 63-35 drubbing over the Wilsonville Wildcats Tuesday night in non-league hoops play at Wilsonville High School.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration is urging schools to abandon overly zealous discipline policies that civil rights advocates have long said lead to a school-to-prison pipeline that discriminates against minority students.

PORTLAND (AP) — Oregon’s problem-plagued health insurance exchange has enrolled about 20,000 people in private coverage, far below original projections, according to new numbers released by Cover Oregon on Tuesday.

Improve your life by taking action on the ideas and plans you’ve long been mulling over. Nurture important relationships and pick up knowledge that will help position you for the future, personally and professionally. Discipline will pay off.

Today’s first tip is going to make my fellow hand knitters wonder, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Is this just the greatest idea ever? I couldn’t wait to share this and other clever tips with you today.

Tuesday, January 7

Temperatures in Wasco County have begun to warm, but fog continues to freeze overnight in the foothills. For more cold weather photographs, visit the photographer's blog "Eye of the Storm-<a href="http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/weblogs/eye-on-the-storm/2014/jan/04/gone-mobile/">Gone mobile</a>"

The Wasco County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is hosting its First Annual Winter Blanket Drive. The items collected from this drive will be donated to The Warming Place in The Dalles.
The MRC requests donations of blankets or any other warm items (e.g. gloves, mittens, coats) that are either new or gently used and clean. Community members can contribute to the drive in the following manner:

Over 350 children and their parents visited Mr. and Mrs. Claus at the old Griffith Automotive Showroom for the, Santa in the Downtown Saturdays last month put on by The Dalles Main Street Organization.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The first batch of Syrian poison gas precursor chemicals was loaded onto a Danish cargo ship and taken out of the war-torn country Tuesday — a week later than initially planned, the United Nations announced.

To the editor:
This letter is a giant thank you. The generosity of the people in The Dalles never fails to amaze me. Six people gave up part of their Christmas day to cook and serve patrons at Community Meals. They were Betsy, Jerry, Rita, Hilary, Linda, and Marvin.

To the editor:
The Citizens Review Board would like to thank all those who donated books for our Christmas Book Drive. The book drive was a great success with 200-plus books being given as gifts to children in foster care of all ages.

To the editor:
In a December 27 New York Times article titled ‘The Fear Economy,” economist/columnist Paul Krugman discussed why corporate profits in 2013 soared to record highs, relative to GDP, despite lingering unemployment and weak economic growth. It was a wonderful insight into the workings of the labor market - and how conflicts of interest between wages and profits can play themselves out.

To the editor:
As a substitute teacher in our school district, knowing many of the kids like I do, here’s Mr. Smith’s two cents on our choices for a new mascot, offered from a radio announcer’s point of view:

The free 2014 Passport to Happiness Calendar is now available and if you don’t receive one in the mail in the next week, you can stop by the Center or OSU Extension office at CGCC and pick one up. And thanks to the suggestions from many folks, the 2014 calendar has a few changes to make it even better than 2013.

Sunnyside Christian broke open a 27-21 halftime lead with a 15-7 run in the third quarter and rode that cushion out to a 52-39 win Saturday in non-league boy’s hoops play in Moro.
Still within shouting distance at the start of the second half, Sherman coach Bill Blevins said three early turnovers led to six consecutive points that put his squad in a 33-21 hole.

Through three quarters, South Wasco County built a big lead over Nixyaawii, but after playing a gritty four quarters 24 hours earlier at home against Sherman, the legs tired out, as Nixyaawii worked a 37-23 run in the final eight minutes and overtime in a 79-75 victory Saturday in Big Sky conference play in Mission.

The time has come to make decisions and act on them. Don’t be confused by what others do. You have to choose what works best for you and move forward. Simplicity and precision will make the difference when it comes to finding your comfort zone and, with it, success.

Drosophila melano- gaster, the common fruit fly, and I go way back to my high school biology class and a unit on genetics. We raised fruit flies in little Petri dishes. Then we’d anesthetize them so we could look at them through the microscope to see how our genetic predictions sized up with the number and gender of babies born overnight. It was great fun.

Saturday, January 4

To the editor:
“Four score and seven years ago…” so said America’s first and most famous Republican president, Abraham Lincoln.
Both President Lincoln and Congressman Greg Walden have experienced similar woes.

If opponents to the Affordable Care Act had put all of their efforts into it over the past six months, they couldn’t have tailor-made a more problem-ridden roll-out to national health care coverage than what we’ve seen over the past month and a half.

FREEPORT, Fla. — In this rural part of the Panhandle, Christopher Mitchell finds few takers when he delivers his message about the importance of exploring insurance options under the federal health overhaul.

Friday, January 3

If you are not careful, indecisiveness will cause stagnation. Lack of confidence in your abilities may make you overly impressionable. Surround yourself with inspiring people who will reassure you that you're making good choices. This is the year to exorcise your demons and think positively.

A recent column on the proper storage for fresh fruits and vegetables generated a lot of great reader feedback -- plus dozens of new tips and tricks to make all grocery items last longer. I love this stuff so much, I must admit to being slightly compulsive -- gathering, testing and assessing techniques. Here are a few of my new favorites:

DEAR DOCTOR K: My son suffers from occasional nosebleeds. What's the best way to stop a nosebleed?
DEAR READER: Many people suffer from nosebleeds. I tend to get them this time of year when the air is cold and dry, as it irritates the normally warm, moist surfaces inside the nose.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ask people to imagine American life in 2050, and you’ll get some dreary visions.
Whether they foresee runaway technology or runaway government, rampant poverty or vanishing morality, a majority of Americans predict a future worse than today.

BAGHDAD — Under siege by government forces, al-Qaida militants tried to strengthen their hold on two of Iraq’s main Sunni cities Friday, telling residents that they were defending them against the Shiite-led government.

The Dalles Police Department has issued a warning about two different scams involving MoneyPak greendot cards. These Paypal account cards can be purchased at most grocery and department stores and loaded with money for purchases on the internet.

WASHINGTON (AP) — They are some of the rarest bobblehead dolls ever produced. They’re released erratically. They’re given away for free, not sold. And if you get a certificate to claim one, you have to redeem it at a Washington, DC, law office.

WASHINGTON — “Just one more story, please?” ‘’I need a glass of water.” ‘’Mom, I can’t sleep!”
When youngsters continually struggle to fall asleep at night, new research suggests maybe their body clock doesn’t match their bedtime. That doesn’t mean tots should be up at all hours.

About half of Americans expect 2014 to be a better year than 2013, according to the recent AP-Times Square New Year’s Eve poll. And judging by the typical questions pollsters use to measure the public mood, it doesn’t seem like it could be much worse.

Success can be yours if you're willing to go the distance. Don't let anyone stand in your way. Devote your energy to your own pursuits, and plan carefully. Stay focused. Your courage and integrity will be admired. Do whatever is necessary.

Dear Mary: A friend repaid a personal loan of $900 by giving me his personal check, drawn on Bank of America. I took it to a local branch. They charged me $6 to cash it. Is this fee legal? Would it have been less had the check been for a smaller amount? — James, California